Undergraduate Studies in Chemistry at Texas A&M

Chemistry profoundly influences the way we live. A strong background in chemistry provides a solid foundation for a variety of careers of major importance in the twenty-first century. We offer programs leading to degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science, both of which are suitable as terminal degree programs as well as for preparation for more advanced study in chemistry and related areas or as preparation for many professional programs in a variety of career fields.

To schedule an advising appointment, please call 979-845-0520 during business hours.

Advising Information

Mission

The Undergraduate Advising Office strives to help students achieve their full potential for success by providing accurate information about requirements, resources, and opportunities. We aim to provide a supportive environment to help students critically assess their talents and abilities in order to develop realistic academic and career goals. We provide information and guidance, but it is the student’s responsibility to make final decisions about their educational plans within the framework of University rules and College and Departmental standards.

Free On-Campus Tutoring

Registration Tips

Student Attribute Error

Students wishing to enroll in a chemistry laboratory need to complete the lab safety acknowledgement before registration. Students who haven't done this will get a "Student Attribute Error" upon attempting to register for a laboratory course.

Corequisites

The lectures and laboratories of 100-level chemistry courses are corequisites, meaning that students must register for them at the same time, not sequentially. (They will need to type the CRNs of both courses and then click submit.) Students who attempt to register for one at a time or are unsuccessful at adding one will get a Prerequisite/Test Score error.

Students may take organic lecture without enrolling in the laboratory, but the reverse is not true. A student must register for the lecture before or with the laboratory. A student attempting to register for the laboratory first or who is unsuccessful in registering for the lecture will get a Prerequisite/Test Score error.

Restricted Sections

A few sections of CHEM101, CHEM111 and CHEM227 are restricted to students with certain attributes. Students should click on the link labeled Restrictions/Details before planning to enroll in a course to make sure they are eligible. Note that the restricted CHEM111 lab sections meet either in CHEM2304 or in 400 HELD.

Restricted to Honors students (sections in the 200s)
CHEM101-201 (CRN 10522) in CHEM building
CHEM111- 201 through 204 (10536-10539) in CHEM building
CHEM227 -200 (10699)

Seat Release Schedule

Seats are added throughout pre-registration to 100 and 200 level chemistry courses, usually at the beginning of morning and evening registration start times. We cannot promise and will not force any student into a particular section.

Getting Ahead

Please note that we will be offering CHEM107/117; CHEM102/112; CHEM222/242; CHEM227/237; and CHEM228/238 over the summer for students who want to catch up or get ahead. (CHEM107/117 is an acceptable substitute for CHEM101/111.)

Prerequisites

Prerequisites are enforced. The Department of Chemistry does not enter prerequisite overrides for planned or in progress prerequisites from other institutions. Once students have completed the prerequisite course, they may send an unofficial transcript that clearly shows their name, the institution, course, and final grade to advising@chem.tamu.edu, indicating for what course they would like a prerequisite override entered and their UIN. We will enter the prerequisite override, but will not force students into closed classes.

Academic Requirements

To Remain a Chemistry Major

Students must maintain a 2.00 GPR overall and in chemistry courses. First year students must have received credit for either Math 151 (4) or 171(4) and Math 152 (4) or 172(4) with C’s or better in both courses by the end of the first calendar year after enrollment at A&M. Students who have completed only Math 151(4) or 171(4) by the end of the first calendar year may remain in the program if they earned a B or better in one Math 151(4) or 171(4) and are enrolled for Math 152(4) or 172(4) in the following semester.

Academic Forms

To Change Your Major into Chemistry at Any Time

Students must have fewer than 90 attempted + transfer hours

Students who wish to change into chemistry after beginning A&M in another major must have an overall TAMU GPR of 2.5 or better and a TAMU 2.5 or better in chemistry and a 2.5 or better in math courses and have credit for CHEM 101/111(4) and CHEM 102/112(4) or equivalent and MATH 151(4) or MATH 171(4) with a C or better in all chemistry and math courses.

To Seek A Double Major or Double Degree in Chemistry

Students must have fewer than 90 attempted + transfer hours

Students must have an overall GPR of 3.0 or better, at least a 3.0 in chemistry and math courses, and have completed CHEM 101/111(4) and CHEM 102/112(4) or equivalent and MATH 151(4) or MATH 171(4) before this paperwork may be initiated.

To Transfer into Chemistry from another Institution

Applicants should complete 24 hours, but must have fewer than 90, with a cumulative GPR of at least 3.00. CHEM101/111 and CHEM102/112 equivalents must be competed with Bs or better. In addition, 8 hours of science and engineering level Calculus I and II must be completed with Bs or better. More information about transfer application and admission can be found at admissions.tamu.edu/transfer/apply.

Curricula

Core Curriculum

The Core Curriculum is a common set of requirements that must be satisfied by all Texas A&M graduates. The requirements are outlined in your undergraduate catalog. The core curriculum requirements do not add extra hours to your chemistry degree plan. They just dictate, to some extent, your freedom to choose electives so they are frequently referred to as Directed Electives. Information about what courses can be used to fulfill each Core Curriculum requirement can be found at the Core Curriculum web site.

BA and BS Degrees

The set of prescribed courses is referred to as a degree plan. This is a suggested outline of when you should take courses. You should try to adhere to this schedule as closely as possible although the timing of some courses is more critical than others.

The B.S. and B.A. degree plans both require completion of 120 credit hours of course work under catalog #139 (i.e. the 20016-17 catalog). The major points of difference are compared below:

Chemistry Tracks

In addition to the traditional B.S. degree, which allows for an optional minor field of study, and the traditional B.A. degree, which requires a minor field of study, the Department of Chemistry offers five tracks to guide students in their selection of electives for particular career paths in biological chemistry, environmental chemistry and chemical education. A traditional minor requires that all minor courses be taken from the same department and approved by the department granting the minor. However, the Tracks provide electives in an area of emphasis, which includes courses from several departments. Students completing all the requirements for a Track would not be required to have a traditional minor. Students should carefully check prerequisites in planning these courses. For more information see Chemistry Tracks.

Declare a Minor in Chemistry

Students seeking a minor in chemistry must complete the Declaration of Minor in Chemistry form and have it approved by the undergraduate advisor in chemistry (Room 104 Chemistry) and their academic advisor. A minor in Chemistry should represent course work taken in the discipline beyond courses that might be used to satisfy core curriculum science requirements (8 credits). Therefore, though CHEM 101/111 or CHEM 107 and CHEM 102/112 are prerequisites to all of the listed courses, they are not considered part of the minor program. The course work listed (17-20 credits) represents various sub-disciplines within the field of Chemistry and would give the student an overall knowledge base fitting a Minor in Chemistry. This is consistent with the statement on minors published by the American Chemical Society. For more information, see Declaring a Minor.

Undergraduate Research

Chemistry majors seeking the B.S. degree are required to satisfy the undergraduate research requirement listed in their catalog. B.A. chemistry majors frequently find it to their benefit to do some research as well. Although this requirement is listed in the degree plan in the senior year, the typical student normally begins undergraduate research earlier in the curriculum. This starting date allows the student to distribute the required credits over several semesters and usually ensures that the student will have had the minimal laboratory courses (i.e. general chemistry and organic chemistry) indicated by most professors as necessary to begin research in their group. See Undergraduate Research in Chemistry for more information.

Undergraduate Research Links

Transfer Courses

Courses taken at Texas community colleges and universities may be used to satisfy some degree requirements. Most community colleges and universities in Texas use the Texas Common Course Numbering System to assign course numbers to their courses. An Appendix in the course catalog and the Texas Common Course Numbering System website list the equivalencies between Texas A&M University courses and Texas Common Course Numbered courses.

The University application opens October 15 and closes February 1. Almost all departmental scholarships are need based, so we strongly encourage applicants to submit FAFSA forms. More information about departmental scholarships and criteria can be found at the College of Science Scholarship web site. Departmental scholarships recipients are selected by the Undergraduate Awards Committee following the posting of Spring grades each year.

Career Choices

A degree in chemistry affords a student a wide range of career options in chemical industry, education and government. See our Career Choices web site for a listing of former students and their career choices.

Employers of Chemistry Majors

The employers of chemistry majors range from industrial and government labs to education and professional schools. See our listing of employers of former students.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services, currently located in the Disability Services building at the Student Services at White Creek complex on west campus or call 979-845-1637. For additional information, visit http://disability.tamu.edu.